What is a Fluoride Treatment?

What is a Fluoride Treatment?

Fluoride is a natural mineral that can be found in almost all food and water you consume. Fluoride is the best way to protect your teeth from tooth decay. People generally lose fluoride in their teeth due to acids caused by plaque buildup, bacteria and sugars that attack your tooth enamel. To get the fluoride back into your tooth’s enamel layer, you need to eat healthy foods and drink fluoridated water.

Another way to get more fluoride back into your enamel is through fluoride treatments at your dentist’s office.

How to know if you need fluoride treatment

If you are taking medications that cause dry mouth or have a disease that causes dry mouth then you might need a fluoride treatment. Saliva helps breakdown your food so without saliva, you’re more susceptible to tooth decay.

If your gums have receded, that allows bacteria to roam around and could lead to tooth decay.

Braces and retainers can hold a lot of bacteria which can lead to cavities. A fluoride treatment can eliminate the bacteria and help prevent tooth decay.

If you have frequent cavities you may benefit from a fluoride treatment.

If you enjoy eating sugary foods, a fluoride treatment can help protect your teeth from cavities and decay.

Fluoride treatments- How it works

To begin, your teeth are dried so the fluoride doesn’t become diluted. Fluoride gel or foam can be applied by using a tray that looks like a mouth guard for one to four minutes. Fluoride varnish can be painted directly on parts of the teeth that are most likely to get a cavity, to strengthen them. When you have a fluoride varnish, you can eat or drink immediately afterward. With gel or foam you have to wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking.

Almost any patient can benefit from a fluoride treatment. It’s a simple preventive dentistry service that makes a big impact. It is our aim to provide the best dental care possible. We use the most up-to-date techniques and patient friendly materials and always have the patient’s concerns foremost in our minds.